The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to several leaders of the YSR Congress Party, in connection with the alleged ransacking of the Telugu Desam Party’s office, as well as the alleged vandalisation of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence, in 2021.
The Bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manmohan granted anticipatory bail to YSRCP Vijayawada East coordinator Devineni Avinash, former minister and MLA Jogi Ramesh, Nandepu Jagadeesh, Manyam Jagadish, Gadela and other YSRCP leaders, who were accused in the two cases.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had rejected the anticipatory bail of Avinash, who was booked in connection with the alleged ransacking of NTR Bhavan, the central office of TDP at Mangalagiri, during the YSRCP regime in October 2021. He was granted interim protection in September, 2024.
Ramesh was booked for offences under Sections 143, 324, 506, 188, 269 and 270 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, in connection with the alleged vandalising of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence in Undavalli. He was also on interim protection.
The Apex Court today directed the petitioners to cooperate with the investigation, adding that any non-cooperation would result in the vacation of the order.
It further ordered them to surrender their passports and not to leave the country without informing the investigating officer.
Appearing for Avinash, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that three years after the alleged attack involving 88 people, fresh investigations began because the ruling government changed.
The victims received minor injuries contrary to what was alleged by the complaint in the FIR. Avinash was not identified in the CCTV footage recorded as evidence, he added.
Representing the State of Andhra Pradesh, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra vehemently opposed the plea on the grounds that after being granted interim protection by this Court, the accused have not been cooperating and not providing details of their phones. He alleged that Avinash tried to leave the country.
Sibal apprised the Bench that Avinash travelled within the country and only because of lack of knowledge, he did not inform the Court about it.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had rejected the anticipatory bail petition of all YSRCP leaders accused in the case on September 4, 2024.